On Wendesday night (2/14), the volleyball teams from Flatbush and Ma’ayanot put together the most skilled JV game of volleyball the Nest has seen all season long, but in the end, the visiting Rapids edged out the Falcons in game one then dominated the hosts in game two to sweep Flatbush in the opening round of the MYHSAL playoffs at the Falcons Nest in Brooklyn, NY.

The court in Flatbush’s Main Gym was set, the linesman in position and Referee Kathy Kenny was perched atop the umpire’s ladder. It was time for the JV’s to open their playoffs.

The teams traded points to start set number one. Then, the serve fell to Flatbush Freshman Ruthy Dwek, who served three straight service winners for an early 4-1 lead, aided by solid returns from Barbara Dayan. Not long after, Flatbush’s Alice Franco served for a pair of points, aided by a Rochelle Hafif backward overhead drive, and a 9-4 Falcons lead. Franco led the game for three more points before relinquishing the serve with the lead at 12-5. At 15-9, the Rapids serve moved into power mode, closing the gap to 15-13 before a long serve gave control back to the Falcons. But, moments later, Ma’ayanot pulled even at 16-16. With the home crowd cheering, Flatbush took back the lead, but only advancing the score to 18-16, just to see it deadlocked again at 18-18. The teams traded points, then Ma’ayanot took their first lead and then the game on the next two serves, 21-19. The Falcons were stunned.

Flatbush hoped to regroup, but Ma’aynaot had other ideas. The Rapids took an early 4-0 lead on strong serves, before the next one went into the net, allowing Flatbush on the board. Adele Ayash closed the gap to 5-4, then ceded the serve back to Ma’ayanot. Flatbush was completely out of sync, and could not sustain any momentum in set number two, and the Rapids pushed the lead out to 10-4. The Falcons steadied their play, and stayed in range at 16-10, but their team serving was just not as good as it was in set one. Danielle Tawil briefly regained her earlier form and served a point to make the score 19-12, but the Rapids took he next two, winning the second set, 21-12, and the match, 2 games to none, knocking Flatbush out of the playoffs one round earlier than last year.

As frustrating as the loss was, Head Coach Irene Eisdorfer was very proud of the work the team put in this season. “I am so proud of these girls. They brought a lot of energy to each and every practice, and were a pleasure to be around. I am already looking forward to next year, but with these Sophomores who will be on Varsity and with the Freshman who will surely build on this success with a new group of Freshies next year.”

Afterwards, the two teams came together to celebrate Esti Vizgan’s 16th birthday, with donuts and macarons. And, isn’t the together aspect what Yeshiva athletics is really all about?!